South of the James Farmers Market Hotflash

The South of the James Farmers Market might stir up some neighborhood envy. Not only was it chosen as Best Farmers Market in the central region by Virginia Living magazine and one of the fifty best in the nation by Cooking Light, but it regularly garners hordes of locavores come rain or come shine…or in the case of this summer, temps in the nineties.

With close to one hundred vendors of local produce, pasture-raised meats, artisan cheese, hand-crafted goods, all-natural products and food trucks, the South of the James Farmers Market is an excellent reason to roll out of bed early on a Saturday. We’ve known folks whose single motivation was sinking into the pillowy goodness of Mrs.Yoder’s doughnuts. But hey, we’re not judging. The market is held year-round and rolls up its tents at noon. So don’t dawdle too long over your morning coffee–everybody knows the good stuff goes first.

Crib notes for some of our favorite vendors (in the approximate order of tent location):

King of Pops This is a given. It is summer. It is hot. King of Pops rules.

International Dumpling Co. If you get there early, you can snag the Spring Beet and Goat Cheese Ravioli.

Black Creek Farm has a plentiful display of gorgeous veggies–take some home.

Boonyclabber Cheese at Sullivan’s Pond Farm Taste their luscious goat cheese in a mind-boggling array of flavors. Cheesemaker Rona Sullivan is famous for her Moonshine cheese that has been wrapped in “White Lightnin” moonshine-macerated corn husks and aged over 60 days.

Bon Air Naturals Soap Co. We are all about the Lemongrass bath bomb. Pick up some of the adorable Peppermint Coffee Sugar Scrubs too.

HaaShrooms/Steve Haas Mushrooms These wild crafted and foraged mushrooms will be super impressive at your next dinner party. Where else are you going to find Lion’s Mane mushrooms?

Zou Zou’s Basement We love the original oil painting and paper collages by Susannah Raine-Haddad and her cheery handmade cards.

Goatocado’s quinoa bowls are a game changer. This is true love in a recyclable paper boat.

Alchemy Coffee We are upright; therefore, coffee is essential. Alchemy is the master.

Hog Haven Farm This pasture-raised heritage pork from Columbia, Virginia tends to sell out quickly. For assurance you’ll find the cut you’re looking for, stop by this tent early in the morning.

Balm of the Earth Our “gotta have it” item of the summer is Balm of the Earth all-natural Sentinel HerbalRepellant. You don’t have to remain a mosquito magnet forever, friends.

Gulp Juicery Fruits and Roots is our jam. We’re diggin’ Glow right now; the turmeric root gives it a little something extra. You will love these cold-pressed, organic juices. Return the bottle for $1 off your next juice. You know you want more…

Sausage Craft is RVA’s favorite hand-crafted artisan sausage.

Wandering Cow Farm sells adorable felted wool animals that would make perfect gifts for the kiddos you know. Pick up a felted soap to exfoliate while you get cleaner than a whistle.

Old Church Creamery Our favorite micro-dairy is at the market this year–whoop whoop.

Ninja Kombucha Yes, the Tanuki RootBooch (sassafras, vanilla and ginger) will give you some bad-ass moves. Nah, just kidding. But it will make you hella healthy. Try the popular Monomi Mist (hibiscus and berries).

Real Country Sausage Dockery Branch Farm in South Hill produces crowd-pleasing sausage from a 100 year-old family recipe. You’ll want to get in on that.

Two and a Half Irish-Men Try their Tea Brack and the Traditional Guinness Cakes. Save yourself the heartache, and get more than one loaf.

Ginger Juice Power your morning with two and a half pounds of produce, conveniently squeezed into an 8 oz. bottle. Sample South of the James’ favorite quencher–Giving–a beet, pear, apple, ginger and lime combo.

Hey friend, that’s not all. We’ve got a massive Richmond city guide for you to peruse. Check it outhere.

One Response to South of the James Farmers Market Hotflash

Would it be possible to add “Unkol” Chuck’s Traditional Brunswick Stew to your listing of favorites

We manufacturer Brunswick Stew in a cast iron kettle in Brunswick County Virginia – it’s the real thing cooked in a real cast iron kettle in the real county of Brunswick, Virginia buy real Brunswick County native